Gospel on the Gulf

BENNETTSVILLE — A large crowd gathered Saturday afternoon at the corner of W. Market and N. Liberty Streets for a toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time at the first Gospel on the Gulf in Bennettsville. Host Jermaine Purvis and a variety of gospel singers, bands, praise teams, praise dancers, and even a violinist kept spectators mesmerized and swaying to the music throughout the warm, breezy afternoon.

Featured acts included The MCHS Gospel Choir, Damian Burris, BG MAD praise dancers, New Direction, Pastor X and Kingdom Voices, violinist Taquan Coe, Atmosphere Church Praise Team, the Cousinetttes, and the McDuffies, The audience got to hear old and new gospel tunes like “Bless the Lord with Me,” “ Have Your Way,” “Heal the Land,” and “We need your Power.”

In case all that toe-tapping and handclapping gave you an appetite, several food trucks lined Liberty Street. Collard wraps, wings, burgers, BBQ, turkey legs, crab legs, funnel cakes, cookies, cake slices and bowls, and more was available.

Vendors were also on hand hawking merchandise ranging from honey and soaps to wreaths, candles and Easter baskets.

The free concert was sponsored by the City of Bennettsville. Members of the Gospel Committee recruited the talent and handled food and craft vendors. Committee members are Jaharra Graves, Lanita Benton, James Bridges, Brittany Jones, and Mayor Tyron Abraham.

Jaharra Graves, Bennettsville’s director of tourism, parks, and recreation, said the city has done a few free gospel concerts in the past at Smith Park. The music was moved to “The Gulf” this year because Brittany Jones, Main Street Director for the city, thought it would be a great way to honor the legacy of “The Gulf”. Graves said she could not say whether this would become an annual event.

According to a historical marker, “The Gulf” refers to an area of Bennettsville that has been the center of the African- American business district and a popular gathering place since the late 19th century. The area got its name from the large Gulf Oil sign, still present today, at what used to be Everybody’s Service Station at the corner of N. Liberty and W. Market Streets. The area has been called “The Gulf” since about 1925.